Pastor Graham Atherton pleads with Brisbane judge to give serial offender nephew William Atherton a chance

A Brisbane pastor has pleaded with a judge to give his serial offender nephew a “chance” after the nephew faced court for his part in a spree of break-ins during which shop attendants were allegedly confronted with a shotgun, an axe and a sledgehammer.

Kangaroo Point Uniting Church. Picture: Google Maps

A Brisbane pastor has made a passionate plea to a judge on behalf of his serial offender nephew who faced court for his part as a getaway driver in a spree of armed break-ins.

Pastor Graham Atherton, of Uniting Church Kangaroo Point, spoke on behalf of his nephew William Simon Atherton, 29, in Brisbane District Court on Tuesday, June 5.

William Atherton appeared for sentence for his involvement in a series of armed break-ins which took place in June, 2021.

The court heard Atherton was the getaway driver while three other men allegedly robbed the Clayfield TAB and Foodworks at Norman Park in a stolen car.

The three other men were allegedly masked and armed with a shotgun, axe and a sledgehammer.

The court heard one of the men allegedly grabbed the son of the TAB owner and threw him to the ground.

A female Foodworks attendant was also allegedly threatened with a shotgun, causing her to flee to a nearby Urban Cellars liquor outlet.

The other men then allegedly stole a safe from the Urban Cellars.

The court heard Atherton had only been the getaway driver and remained in the car throughout the offending.

But Judge Paul Smith said the offences were “really well planned” as Atherton was the only individual successfully prosecuted for them.

The court heard he refused to identify his alleged co-offenders as he was fearful of them.

Father Atherton told the court his nephew had always been “slow” and had turned to drug and alcohol abuse after a troubled upbringing.

The court heard Atherton had lived with his uncle on and off while growing up because his home life was unstable.

“Deep down he has a good heart,” Fr Atherton said.

“This is why I’m here today. I’d like you to give (him) a chance.”

Fr Atherton said he ran a soup kitchen and would like to take his nephew in so he could help others.

“I know if given a chance - I don’t think he’s had that opportunity. He’s had bad company,” he said.

The court heard Atherton had a lengthy and relevant 11-page history which included previous robbery convictions.

Judge Smith said Atherton had developed a pattern of reoffending soon after being released from jail.

Despite being the getaway driver, Atherton had never held a licence because of his low IQ and severe impairments with numeracy and literacy, the court heard.

Judge Smith acknowledged Atherton was significantly influenced by and scared of his co-offenders.

But he told Atherton that “terrorising three stores in one afternoon” was a serious offence.

Atherton pleaded guilty to armed robbery in company, enter premises and commit indictable offence, common assault, wilful damage, attempting to enter a premises and commit an indictable offence, two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicles, and threatening violence.

He was sentenced to five years’ jail, suspended after he served 20 months in actual custody.

His 20 months in presentence custody was declared time served.

Atherton was also sentenced to three years probation, with convictions recorded for all offences.

The court heard he would not yet be released from custody, however, because he still had outstanding matters.